Trek the Vanoise: Alpine Huts, Lakes & Marmots

September only

3 days| 2 nights

Level 1

Eco-score 4/5

What you will experience

Spend three days in the Vanoise discovering the local wildlife and flora - marmots and ibex!

Join the Mountain hut at La Femma for two nights, with its wood fire and glacial valleys within reach.

Climb the Col de Pierre Blanche, with its mineral landscapes and views of the Vanoise glaciers.

Enjoy an introduction to hiking over several days with an experienced guide in a magnificent setting!

Itinerary

1
DAY1/ 3
- D-·400m
  descent
- D+·450m
  Vertical ascent
- Distance·11km
  KM covered
We set off from the Bellecombe car park for a day of contemplative hiking and nature-watching in France's first national park.
We cross the alpine meadows and skirt the Lanserlia rocks, a mixed terrain of paths and scree slopes where we start to spot marmots and signs of wildlife.
We then descend into the Vallon de la Rocheure and skirt the first lakes before fording the river. The ascent to the cross visible in the distance is made in stages, with observation breaks and explanations of marmot behaviour and how to read the tracks.
We spend the next two nights at the Mountain hut in La Femma, where we pack up our gear, share a meal and have a technical briefing on the next few days' itineraries.
This day is devoted to approaching the valley and learning about the terrain - orientation, reading the landscape and observing the fauna - in preparation for exploring the surrounding glacial valleys.

2
DAY2/ 3
- D-·Between 450 and 550 depending on optionsm
  descent
- D+·Between 450 and 550 depending on optionsm
  Vertical ascent
- Distance·9km
  KM covered
From the Mountain hut at La Femma, head towards Lac de la Rocheure and the Col de la Rocheure or, as an option, the Col de Pierre Blanche, depending on the condition of the group and the weather.
The steady climb takes you first through pastures and mountain pastures, then onto mineral terrain dotted with scree and rockfalls typical of the high mountains. You progress at a steady pace, pausing to observe the flora and animal tracks to gain a better understanding of the dynamics of the environment.
At the lake, you'll analyse the morphology of the cirque and the hydrological signs; at the pass, you'll work on route reading and techniques for moving around on unstable terrain.
The aim of the day is explicitly to make the transition from a pastoral environment to a mineral world, while reinforcing self-sufficiency (effort management, route choice, collective safety).
Return to the Mountain hut at the end of the day for a debriefing, equipment management and an evening to discuss the day's observations.
3
DAY3/ 3
- D-·-360m
  descent
- D+·330m
  Vertical ascent
- Distance·12km
  KM covered
From the Mountain hut at La Femma, we descend along an easy pastoral path to the hamlet of Plume Fine, a vestige of local pastoral life, crossing alpine meadows and small valleys.
The route offers a view of the Vanoise glaciers, providing an opportunity to observe the glacial relief and learn about alpine morphology. We stop off at the Plan du Lac Mountain hut for a break and a technical briefing on map reading and water management in the mountains.
We then set off to explore several discreet lakes with moraine banks, observing the flora and animal tracks.
The progress is deliberately gentle, alternating between walking and teaching so that everyone can get to grips with the routes and safety in mountain terrain.
The day concludes with a structured descent to the starting car park, followed by a group debriefing on the day's achievements and the conditions on the ground.

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The guides who will lead your adventure

Christelle

Mountain leader (AMM)

French

English

Spanish

A mountain leader, anthropologist and scientific and social mediator, Christelle leaps happily from one group to the next to discover everyone's world and share her enthusiasm for the high peaks and little lost paradises that she loves so much. She'll be delighted to accompany you as you discover the local fauna, flora, culture and history.

Find out more about Christelle

What's included in the price

Included

Guiding: Throughout your stay, you'll be accompanied by an experienced mountain guide who knows the terrain inside out.

Accommodation: You will spend two nights in a dormitory in a typical mountain hut.

Meals: All meals are included, from the evening meal on day 1 to the last lunch, which will be served in a typical local restaurant.

Not included

Picnic on Day 1.

Any personal expenses you may have.

Transport to the meeting point.

Anything not mentioned in "What the price includes".

What level should you expect

Level 1

You should be at least 18 years old to participate

WHO IS IT FOR?

You want to discover multi-day hut-to-hut hiking in the Vanoise, among high-altitude lakes and local wildlife, with no technical difficulty.

You're at the right level if:

You hike 4–6h per day with 300–700m of ascent on alpine trails and mountain meadows.
You sleep 2 nights in a comfortable mountain refuge, no full self-sufficiency required.
You move on paths and easy rocky sections, no glaciers or technical passages.
You are comfortable with steady climbs and high-altitude views that can be windy.
You carry a 5–7kg pack with your personal hiking gear and overnight kit for the refuge.

Getting there

Start · 09h00

Bellecombe car park

End · 16h00

Bellecombe car park

Transport

By train

Want to avoid traffic jams and travel in peace? The train is your ally.

From your departure station, you can reach the Haute Maurienne via Modane:

Departure station > Modane
Modane > Termignon (bus)

From Termignon, we'll organise the journey up to the Bellecombe car park: car-pooling with the guide (up to 4 participants) and a taxi if needed. In July and August, a shuttle bus also runs directly from Termignon to the Bellecombe car park.

You'll arrive at the Bellecombe car park, in the heart of the Vanoise National Park, the starting point of the expedition.

By car

Prefer the freedom of a road trip?

Parking is available on site, right next to the expedition's starting point.

Do consider carpooling: a WhatsApp group will be set up 10 days before departure so you can organise this with the other participants.

How to register

Step 1

Choose your departure date and number of participants

Step 2

Book online by paying a deposit or the full amount directly. It is also possible to book by telephone by calling +32 460 25 61 85 (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm).

If the minimum number of participants is reached, departure is confirmed!
If the minimum number of participants is not reached, we will give you a full refund.

Departure is confirmed 15 days in advance for adventures lasting more than 4 days. Departure is confirmed 7 days prior for adventures lasting less than 4 days.

Step 3

In the case of a deposit, the remaining amount will be debited from your account before departure.

Your reviews

The opinions of our participants who have placed their trust in us

4.7/ 5 · based on 1 review

Denise H.

Guide très agréable, à l écoute des désirs et des aptitudes des participants. Refuge, accueil très sympathique, repas de qualité et très savoureux. Belle experience. Merci

Marie F.

Absolument ravie d’être passée par Wildhartt pour ma première expérience de trek/bivouak ! Notre guide Thomas était top, l’organisation parfaite (matériel, repas, logistique) La création du groupe Whatsapp en amont du départ est un vrai + Hâte de réserver ma prochaine aventure !

Christophe R.

Nous avons participé cet été à cette randonnée itinérante de 5 jours avec des ânes en famille, avec nos deux enfants de 8 et 11 ans, et nous en gardons un très beau souvenir. Un grand merci à notre accompagnateur, Romain, qui a parfaitement géré le séjour du début à la fin, y compris lors des moments plus compliqués. Il est très présent et prend en charge une grande partie des aspects pratiques, ce qui est particulièrement appréciable. Il faut cependant garder à l'esprit qu'il reste tout de même un certain nombre de choses à gérer en tant que participant, notamment lorsqu'on voyage avec des enfants. Le matériel fourni pour les ânes était parfaitement adapté et nous a permis de profiter pleinement de l'expérience. Quant au parcours, il était tout simplement magnifique, avec des paysages variés et superbes. Nous avons particulièrement apprécié le premier bivouac, qui se trouvait dans un cadre splendide, ainsi que la nuit en auberge dont le confort a été très apprécié après deux étapes fatigantes. Concernant les points plus mitigés, nous avons trouvé que le début du parcours était sensiblement plus difficile et technique que ce à quoi nous nous attendions au regard du niveau annoncé pour le séjour. La conduite des ânes demande un temps d'adaptation, et la combinaison de cette découverte avec des étapes de randonnée déjà exigeantes a rendu les deux premiers jours assez sportifs. Heureusement, Romain a su s'adapter à la situation en modifiant intelligemment l'itinéraire afin d'alléger la troisième journée. Cette adaptation nous a permis de récupérer et de profiter pleinement de la suite du séjour. Malgré cette réserve sur le niveau de difficulté du début du parcours, nous recommandons cette expérience pour la qualité de l'encadrement, la beauté des paysages et l'originalité de l'aventure avec les ânes.

Laetitia L.

Une randonnée magnifique, dépaysante, avec des paysages variés à couper le souffle. Grâce à Raphaël, nous avons pu voyager autant dans cet espace magnifique que dans le temps, grâce à ses explications sur la géologie de cet environnement.

Serge D.

Partis en rando-ânes en groupe réduit, nous avons pu bénéficier d’un guide exceptionnel qui par son implication, ses connaissances du milieu naturel et son expérience a rendu ce séjour de 5 jours dans les Cévennes inoubliable.

Frequently asked questions

Who is this tour for?

This tour is aimed at people who are already used to walking in the mountains or doing long outings on foot. The stages are fairly long, with some changes in altitude, but are accessible to anyone in good physical condition and motivated.

How comfortable is the Mountain hut?

For this expedition, you'll spend the 2 nights in a Mountain hut with all the comforts of home, in a shared room. A Mountain hut typical of the region, where you can sample the local cuisine and enjoy the breathtaking views.

Will we have to carry our rucksack the whole way?

Yes, but these should not exceed 5 to 7 kg as you will be sleeping in a comfortable Mountain hut with everything you need taken care of.

What equipment should we take with us?

Once your enrolment has been confirmed, we'll send you a full list of the equipment you'll need. Throughout the expedition, you will be completely self-sufficient: you will need to pack everything you need in your rucksack.

Are instalment payment options available?

Yes, that's right! At checkout, you can choose the Alma option to pay for your booking in 2x, 3x or 4x. All you have to do is select Alma at checkout and follow the instructions. It's simple, fast and secure.

Can I privatise this expedition for my group?

Yes, all our expeditions can be privatised for a group already formed, on the dates of your choice.

To make your request, go to the expedition that interests you and click on "Privatise the expedition". We'll take care of the rest!

What kind of people usually join Wildhartt expeditions ?

You don’t need to be a top athlete or adventure expert to feel at home. Most Wildhartt participants are between 25 and 60 years old, with a balanced mix of women and men.

Many join solo or in small groups of two or three. They often live in cities and are looking for a meaningful brea some time to reconnect with nature, slow down, and enjoy something real.

They usually have a regular movement practice (hiking, running, yoga...), but not with a competitive mindset. They’re in good shape, but don’t necessarily have technical skills. What brings them together is a shared desire to disconnect, observe, learn, and experience nature in a more grounded, accessible way.

If that speaks to you, you'll feel right at home. The group spirit is kind and open, and the pace adapts to everyone.

What happens if the weather is bad?

At Wildhartt, nature is our playground, rain or shine. Rain, snow or wind: our guides adapt the itinerary, activities and accommodation to guarantee you the best possible experience.
Unless safety is at stake (storm, avalanche, flood...).

In this exceptional case, we can cancel an expedition, at least one week before departure.
If this happens:
→ You can postpone your adventure at no cost,
→ Or receive a full refund.

What does the price of a Wildhartt adventure include?

At Wildhartt, transparency is essential. The price of your expedition reflects a clear breakdown of costs:

30% for our guides, the mainstays of every adventure.

35% for accommodation and meals, essential for your comfort.

10% for equipment and transport, to guarantee safety and fluidity.

25% for organisation and logistics, from first contact to the end of the expedition.

1% for the rewilding of Europe, a concrete commitment to give back to nature what it gives us.

Our priority: to offer you a quality experience, with complete clarity.

Do you have any questions? Contact us.

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